Why C. difficile can resist daptomycin antibiotics
Identification of daptomycin resistance mechanisms in Clostridioides difficile
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · NIH-11142539
This project looks at how the bacteria that cause C. difficile infections develop resistance to daptomycin and related antibiotics to help improve future treatments for people with C. difficile.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11142539 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying the bacterium Clostridioides difficile in the lab to find how it survives daptomycin-type antibiotics. They create spontaneous resistant bacterial strains and use genome-wide transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) and other genetic methods to find the genes involved. The team is focusing on two regulatory systems, DraRS and DapRS, to see how they control resistance and cell envelope stress responses. The work aims to reveal specific bacterial mechanisms that could be targeted to overcome resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with C. difficile infection—especially those with recurrent or treatment-resistant infections, or those able to donate bacterial samples—are most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without C. difficile infection or whose illness is caused by other pathogens are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or strategies to overcome daptomycin resistance and expand treatment options for C. difficile infections.
How similar studies have performed: Genome-wide genetic approaches like Tn-seq have uncovered resistance mechanisms in other bacteria, but daptomycin-like treatments for C. difficile (for example, surotomycin) have shown mixed results in clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA — IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ELLERMEIER, CRAIG D — UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- Study coordinator: ELLERMEIER, CRAIG D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.